Painting ruined by restoration attempt

Police in Spain said suspected vandalism on a church's century-old painting turned out to be a botched restoration attempt by a woman in her 80s. Authorities in Borja said vandalism had been suspected when officials at the Roman Catholic Santuario de l Misericordia church noticed the drastic alterations to the fresco, which depicts Jesus with the crown of thorns, The New York Times reported Thursday. However, Cecilia Gimenez, a local woman in her 80s, soon came forward and admitted she had attempted to restore the paining because it was her favorite local representation of Jesus and parts of it had flaked off due to the moisture on the walls. "The priest knew it," Gimenez told Spanish TV. "I've never tried to do anything hidden." Locals said the fresco was left with half a beard and an appearance some described as monkey-like.